http://stephenmacdonald.tumblr.com/

I loved this skit on SNL this past weekend. It’s even...

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 13:45:24 -0500

I loved this skit on SNL this past weekend. It’s even funnier after seeing the video it’s mocking here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNe11E_KiAk

Stephen Michael

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:23:52 -0500

I’m named after my mom’s brother, Stephen Michael Lawlor, whom died of Aids in 1983. Throughout my life I have been given some of his things such as his class ring, art books, clothes, etc. Considering I have 17 cousins and get his things, I think my Grandmother sees a bunch of similarities between us and enjoys letting me have his possessions.

He was an artist who had moved to Philadelphia to pursue his painting and work for Philadelphia Magazine. I’ve always wished that I could meet him because I feel like he would be able to appreciate, more than anyone in my family, the path in which I’m trying to go down. A lot of my family are pretty straight laced and appear a bit conservative. I often feel like the obvious outcast, but that may be my own doing.

Despite never meeting my Uncle though, I am lucky to be able to sift through his belongings and try to piece together what kind of person he was.

My Grandmother is moving and has been giving away a lot of her belongings. While over her house for Thanksgiving I came across a box filled with his paintings and various letters. I had seen some of his work before and always really liked it, but this gave me a whole new perspective on his talent. I was slightly shocked and very proud of his work. It all really struck me.

I took 3 of the paintings along with a photograph he took of a woman in a tea shop. I think the photo may be of a woman named Anna, whom had written a bunch of letters to him which were also in the box.

Along with the paintings my Grandmother also gave me his yearbooks and a scrapbook someone had made of his accomplishments. It’s filled with articles recognizing his art along with a bunch of academic honors. He was even valedictorian of his high school and college graduating classes.

One of the most interesting things I found in this stuff was his old address in Philadelphia. Thanks to google maps, I was able to see how far it was from the venue I played at back in August. It’s exactly half a mile away and I remember being on the street exactly. It’s the very same street we parked my van and also where I had to change my shirt because a bird decided to shit on me. It’s weird to think that as I was walking around, I was so close to the old apartment of the exact person I am named after. I wish I had known and I would have walked there. Perhaps next time I am in Philly I will try and find it.

I am not a religious person, but I’ve realized lately that...

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:08:14 -0500

I am not a religious person, but I’ve realized lately that some of my favorite Christmas songs lean that way. “Silent Night” is one of those songs and this version by David Bazan is beautiful.

Top 100 records of 2009: 100-81 | Artrocker “We Are...

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 13:15:19 -0500

Top 100 records of 2009: 100-81 | Artrocker

“We Are Bound” was named number 92 on the top 100 albums of the year. It was weird to just be scrolling along and then see a photo of us along side some of the more hyped up bands right now. Still pretty cool though.

Semi-Finals

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:20:00 -0500

Semi-Finals:

We made it the semi-finals of that online battle of the bands. We are now up against another cover band. Help us out by taking 2 seconds to vote for us and clicking the link above!

Photos from Umass Lowell Fox Common - Credit D’s 4 Design

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 13:00:42 -0500

Photos from Umass Lowell Fox Common - Credit D’s 4 Design

Beautiful.

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:04:25 -0500

Beautiful.

wj3_bandpage_puddlefishvsstephenmacdonald | WEBJAMS

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:15:41 -0500

wj3_bandpage_puddlefishvsstephenmacdonald | WEBJAMS:

We are currently in an online battle of the bands. It’s comprised of some acts from southeastern mass. Our matchup went up today and we are currently getting killed by a middle age cover band. Do me a favor and take 2 seconds to vote for us. Thanks!

David Bazan is, in my opinion, one of the best songwriters out...

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:04:17 -0400

David Bazan is, in my opinion, one of the best songwriters out there. I know I’m not the only one to think so, but lately it’s been reinforced to me. There are moments where I hear a song of his and I just think, “Shit, I wish I could write that”. Specifically that happened on the first verse of Hard To Be, which is the first song of his new record.

I bought the record the day it came out and enjoyed it. I would mostly put it on at night while I painted, but I guess I never payed much attention to it.

The other day I listened to it for the first time through a pair of headphones and I was blown away. I tend to experience music better when it’s right in my ear, and I felt excited about an album for the first time in a while. The only other recent albums to really offer me a sense of excitement lately have been “Brother’s Blood” by Kevin Devine and “For Emma, Forever Ago” by Bon Iver.

It’s something I think about often. I’m someone who is pursuing music and writing songs, yet I find myself so bored with a lot of music that comes out. Maybe it’s because I’m older or maybe it’s the changing landscape of how we receive music (which I believe I’ve written about here).

Either way, this new Bazan record is really really fucking good. Go buy “Curse Your Branches”

This the trailer for an independent movie that will be making...

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 01:22:00 -0400

This the trailer for an independent movie that will be making its way to some festivals. My friend Kyle, from Chicago, is in it and he had let one of the kids working on the movie borrow my first record. He ended up really liking it and decided to put “Shake” in the movie and also a little bit of it in the trailer. I completely forgot about it happening and it’s pretty cool to see.

One Little Indian • [artist_name] • Sigur Ros - Takk... [DMM]

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 21:47:03 -0400

One Little Indian • [artist_name] • Sigur Ros - Takk... [DMM]:

I want this badly.

Video

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 21:28:41 -0400

396. Never get your haircut on the day of the big dance.

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 12:58:05 -0400

(via rulesformyunbornson)

This is so true. I need at least a week before I grow into my haircut.

This is my best friend. He ran a marathon this past weekend and...

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 23:57:43 -0400

This is my best friend. He ran a marathon this past weekend and in the midst of that long run was still able to pull off the “suck it” sign. We are so mature.

via www.amazingsuperpowers.com Haha. This hits close to home.

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:30:10 -0400

via www.amazingsuperpowers.com

Haha. This hits close to home.

itsalwayssunny: acrossoceans: Charlie: Milk steak. Dennis: I’m...

Sun, 18 Oct 2009 21:54:02 -0400

itsalwayssunny:

acrossoceans:

Charlie: Milk steak.
Dennis: I’m not putting milk steak!
Mac: Just put steak.
Charlie: Don’t put steak, put milk steak, she’ll know what it is.
Dennis: No, she won’t know what it is, Charlie. Nobody knows what that is. Okay, alright, what’s your favorite hobby?
Charlie: Uh, magnets.
Dennis: Magnets- okay, making magnets, collecting magnets-
Mac: Playing with magnets-
Charlie: Just magnets.
Dennis: Okay, we’ll put snowboarding.
Charlie: I don’t really snowboard.
Dennis: Alright, what are some of your likes?
Charlie: Uh, ghouls.
Mac: Son of a bitch. What are you talking about now?
Charlie: You know, funny little green ghouls.
Dennis: Wh-what? Like in movies, in cartoons?
Charlie: Little green ghouls, buddy!
Mac: Don’t write ghouls.
Dennis: I’m not! I’m putting travel, Jesus Christ. What are your dislikes?
Charlie: People’s knees.

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia 5.05, “The Waitress Is Getting Married”

This was definitely the funniest scene of the season so far; and may be one of my favorite scenes in the whole series. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Charlie may be my favorite TV character ever.

jeffmcmullin: so awesome I was at this show. Amazing.

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 17:33:40 -0400

jeffmcmullin:

so awesome

I was at this show. Amazing.

One of my great friends, Matthew Pike (Far Right), got married...

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 00:50:42 -0400

One of my great friends, Matthew Pike (Far Right), got married last night. It was a bit weird to see a friend be married but he is happy which makes me happy. It was a fun night overall.

Meet The Senators Who Voted Against The Franken Amendment

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 17:26:01 -0400

Meet The Senators Who Voted Against The Franken Amendment:

Whether you hate Franken or not…How could anyone vote against this amendment? I’m getting incredibly sick of politicians.

My Nana has to move so she’s been getting rid of things....

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 17:07:19 -0400

My Dad and me.

My old bike.

1986.

People say we look alike.

My Nana has to move so she’s been getting rid of things. This past week my parents came home with a ton of old photos.